October 9, 2005 Summit PM
Looking To The
Lord To Meet Our Needs
Introduction
A. Text Ex.15:22-27
B. Israel struggled trusting God to meet their needs
1. Constantly grumbling & complaining
2. Repeatedly ignored His word did their own thing
3. Had to wander in wilderness 40 years trying teach them
C. We too struggle trusting the Lord to meet our needs
1. Mt.6 not to worry put Lord 1st all needs met
2. Still we worry fret hoard trying to make sure have enough
D. Question how do you think it makes God feel when you
grumble & complain?
1. How make you feel when those care about complain & grumble?
a. Does it hurt? Cause you pain?
b. Especially when it threatens lives, reputations & friendships
2. Realize grumbling & complaining shows we distrust God
a. Unsure that He is in control work things out
b. Question His goodness & care for us
E. Pray
A. Israel faces a crisis
1. 1st obstacle after crossing Red Sea Desert of Shur
a. Name means wall (referring to a fortress wall)
b. Traveled 3 days & found no water
c. Are 2 or 3 million people
d. Water supplies were running low matter of life & death
2. Came to place water supposed to be = polluted
a. Bitter unfit to drink
b. So bitter people felt water not safe (fearful to drink)
B. Reactions
1. The people
a. Complain, grumble, murmur
b. Seems to be their consistent response
c. Forgotten their tremendous experience 3 days before
d. Instead of trusting God & praying rather complain
e. Why?
1) Not expect to have to struggle
2) Not really believe God would care for them
f. Imagine picture - if 2 or 3 million people all praying
2. Moses answer cry out to the Lord
a. God answered provided a tree
b. Why?
1) Because His faithful servant cried out
2) God responded to intercession
3) James 4:1-3 have not because ask not
A. God allows His people to be tested
1. Reasons
a. To humble them
Deut.8:2,16
b. To strengthen them Ex.20:20
c. To see if they will obey Him Ex.16:4
d. To see where their faith lies Jn.6:5,6; 1 Pet.1:5-7
e.
So learn patience & perseverance James 1:2-4; Rom.5:3-5
2. Our attitude
a. Consider trials a joy James
1:2
b. See them as disciplines from the Lord Heb.12
c. Keep our focus on the spiritual
2 Cor.4:16-18
B. God showed His people what He expected - obedience
1. Covenant a sacred promise
a. Not chastise them with diseases inflicted on Egyptians
b. Happened because they refused to obey God
2. Principle Gal.6:7,8
a. God promised care for all their needs
b. Their responsibility diligently listen & do what is right
3. God is still looking for
obedience
a. Mt.7:21-23
b. Lk.6:46
C. God
Richly provides for His people
1. Led them to Elim an oasis (fruitful well watered valley)
a. 12 springs; 70 palm trees
b. God poured out an abundant blessing on His people
2. God wants to richly provide
for us too
a. Mt.6:33 if seek 1st His kingdom & righteousness
b. 2 Cor.9:8-11 made rich in every way
c. Eph.3:20 wants to work in you beyond imagination
D. We must learn to trust God to meet our needs
1. God put Israel in a place where unable meet own needs
a. Wanted to humble them deal with pride
b. Had to deal with independent spirit
2. Our needs
a. Companionship
1) Feel like only one Never leave or forsake
2) No other Christians in family = Im 1st one
b. Need for appreciation
1) Feel no one understands me no encouragement
2) Come unto me I will give you rest
c. Purpose
1) Why am I here feeling useless
2) Eph.2:10 created for good works
3) Phil.2:12,13 God is working in us
A. Israel never learned to fully trust God
1. Constantly complaining
2. Always seemed to focus on what they did not have
3. Missed out on the blessings God had for them
B. Will we follow in their steps?